The Little Brother and Sister
A brother and sister are left alone in a forest after their parents' death. They encounter various obstacles and challenges, including wild animals and wicked people. The brother's greed and the sister's kindness ultimately lead to their downfall.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 2,635 words
First lines
There was once a little brother who took his Sister by the hand, and said, "Since our own dear mother's death we have not had one happy hour; our stepmother beats us every day, and, when we come near her, kicks us away with her foot. Come, let us wander forth into the wide world. " So all day long they travelled over meadows, fields, and stony roads. By the evening they came into a large forest, and laid themselves down in a hollow tree, and went to sleep. When they awoke the next morning, the sun had already risen high in the heavens, and its beams made the tree so hot that the little boy said to his sister, "I am so very thirsty, that if I knew where there was a brook, I would go and drink. Ah! I think I hear one running; " and so saying, he got up, and taking his Sister's hand they went to look for the brook.
What this Textopian page supports
The Little Brother and Sister is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1819 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Date: 1819 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Family Drama
- Length: 2,635 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Little Brother and Sister by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Little Brother and Sister?
- How does this fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Punchkin by Joseph Jacobs
- Thumbling by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Princess Rosetta And The Pop Corn Man by Mary E. Wilkins
- The Beautiful Child Rescues The Puppet by Carlo Collodi
- Tommelise by Hans Christian Andersen
- Rudy And Babette by Hans Christian Andersen
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, such as enchantments and transformations, typical of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical creatures and events, such as a witch and a magical transformation into a fawn.
- Children's Literature — The story is written in a simple style and contains moral lessons, making it suitable for children.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and various challenges faced by the protagonists in the forest.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Children's Literature · German Folklore · Siblings · Orphaned Children · Poverty · Kindness · Generosity · Selflessness · Friendship · Adventure · Escape